Page 32 of Covert

He’d always had a soft spot for this glamorous city, though his heart belonged to the vast tracts of land in northern Victoria where he could ride for miles in solitude and gaze upon the Harmon acreage with pride.

Sam had seemed to understand his love of Budgeree, even though she didn’t share his love of family responsibility. Not that he blamed her, after hearing about her parent’s archaic views on marriage.

He unwittingly clenched his fists at the thought of her tied to that jerk Max. He’d wanted to punch the creep for the lecherous way he’d leered at Sam, not to mention the pitying glance the old man had sent his way, as if he didn’t stand a chance.

Do you want a chance?

Turning away from the million-dollar view, he rubbed his temples and headed back to bed.

Damned if he knew.

21

Sam mentally cursed as she walked along the concourse towards the boarding gate. She’d never believed in coincidence or karma, yet how could she explain running into Quade in Melbourne, Max last night, and now this, the unexpected appearance of two other men in her life?

It had to be fate’s way of paying her back for all the lies she’d told over the last few months.

“Hey, Princess. Fancy seeing you here.” Nick, her youngest brother, enveloped her in a bear hug.

“Looking good, Sis. What are you doing in Sydney?” Peter, the second oldest, tweaked her nose as he always did. “And where’s the man?”

Sam prayed Dylan would not appear in the next few minutes. He wanted to buy some obscure farming magazine and she hoped the bookstore had to go through a backlog of stock to find it.

“He’s around,” she said, keeping her answer purposely vague. “What are you two doing here?”

A faint blush stained Peter’s cheeks. Unfortunately, he possessed the same fair Popov complexion she did. “I wasinvited to some fancy party and Nicky wanted to accompany me, to scope out the ladies.”

“Whose party?”

Sam hid a grin, knowing exactly whose event Peter had flown down to Sydney to attend. He must be keener on Ebony than she thought, because he hated leaving the Brisbane sunshine and he hated flying even more.

“Ebony’s parents threw some fancy shin-dig to raise money for impoverished kids, so I thought I’d lend a helping hand.” Peter paused and looked away, cementing Sam’s suspicions that her brother was more smitten than he’d like to believe. “I’m surprised you weren’t there, showing off your betrothed.”

“Herwhat?”

Sam froze, unaware Dylan had walked up behind her. Before she could answer, Nick thrust out his hand.

“You must be Dylan. Pleased to meet you. I’m Nick and this is Pete, brothers of this crazy woman.”

She slowly exhaled, unaware she’d been holding her breath. If Nick had mentioned their surname, she would’ve really had some explaining to do. Not that she was off the hook entirely.

Dylan eyed her with confusion. “Yeah, I’m Dylan, though you guys obviously know more about me than I know about you.”

Peter rolled his eyes. “That’d be right. Keeping you in the dark, is she? That’s our sis, always with the secrets.”

Sam intervened quickly, wishing she could drag Dylan away before things turned really ugly. “Why would I talk about you two when we’ve got more important things to discuss?”

She threaded her arm through Dylan’s, hoping to convince her brothers about the authenticity of her make-believe betrothal, yet not wanting to alert Dylan to the fact.

Nick guffawed. “I bet you do.” He grabbed Peter’s arm. “Come on. Let’s leave the two lovebirds alone.” He raised his other hand. “See you later, Princess. Nice to meet you, Dylan.”

As her brothers walked away, chuckling at some joke, Sam wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole.

“Lovebirds? Betrothed?” Dylan disengaged from her grip. “Where did your brothers get that idea? And why does everyone you know call you princess?”

This was it.

Her opportunity to come clean.

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